POLICE DETECTIVE DENIES COERCIVE CONTROL CHARGES OVER NEARLY A DECADE
An Ayrshire police detective, Paul McRoberts, 45, is facing multiple allegations of coercive control and abusive behavior towards a former partner over nearly a decade.According to court reports, he denies all charges, which include threatening and intimidating conduct in Cumnock Road, Mauchline, between October 6, 2010, and April 23, 2017.
Prosecutors claim that Mr McRoberts controlled what food the woman could eat, changed her vehicle and energy bill details without her consent, and behaved aggressively by shouting and intimidating her, causing her to fear and alarm.
Additional accusations state that he behaved similarly from April 24, 2017, to March 31, 2019, and continued to display abusive behavior through repeated shouting and aggression from April 1, 2019, to July 31, 2021.
It is also alleged that he restricted the woman’s diet, implied financial hardship, and urged her to work extra shifts, despite having enough money for his own needs.
Post-separation, he allegedly drove past her home repeatedly, observed her, coerced a family member into revealing her new address, entered her home without permission, blocked her exit, and demanded her work shift details aggressively.
Furthermore, the Crown claims he sent threatening messages via social media and texts, altered her vehicle paperwork, and shut off her utilities.
Mr McRoberts was not present at court when the case was called but has entered a plea of not guilty.
The case has been adjourned for further evidence disclosure, and he is scheduled to return at a later date.
